School…what thoughts or feelings does the word bring to your mind? Excitement, joy, “new”, fear, dread, schedules…
Being a teacher, I have the same wonders as students and parents (I am an“alum” of the parent group!). I experience all of the above words in my heart just as my families that God gives me each year! As we all begin to prepare our hearts for another school year, I would love to pass on some lessons God has taught me and continues to review for me in my heart!
1.
Trust God’s heart about your child. I know when our children are born we say we give them to God and ask Him to mold them into His likeness. I have learned that God is faithful and creative in His ways to accomplish His plan/work in our children. Sometimes, it will mean a more difficult work for the parent than the child because parents are the ones who may be the responder, the model/example the child learns from about authority figures and how to walk well through hard and hurtful circumstances. My response as a parent to my child’s teachers, coaches, leaders will be “caught” in my child’s heart and begin a pattern that will develop a lifelong methodology of handling joy and adversity in circumstances and toward those in authority over him/her. Am I modeling: praying for those in authority? Encouraging? Showing respect? Having a teachable and listening heart? Each year when parents leave their child with a new teacher and new classmates, a new test of faith in God’s heart is given. To be able to say, “God, You love this child more than I do. You know his/her tomorrows; therefore, I submit to Your heart that this gift (child-not idol) is under Your watchful eye and I will trust You and obey Your word as I partner with a “new” place for my child.”
2. Guard your heart and tongue! School is not a perfect place! (just as our homes are not) Teachers, coaches, and students are not perfect! (neither are we as parents) Yay, now that we have gotten the truth on the table, maybe we can relax!!! There will be mistakes on both parts – parents and teachers. I have learned and know God has a plan to deal with mistakes. I must run to Him FIRST, go in a spirit of humility to the one who has been “imperfect” with me, and present my heart. Several thoughts: by going to God FIRST, the Holy Spirit can help me see if there is anything I need to deal with in my heart; my heart is washed with the Word and the Holy Spirit is in control so I am in a place of humility – not accusing, attacking, or assuming in my concerns; I am careful in my words (heart revealers) about the person or setting that is “imperfect” (class, teacher, coach, team).
3. Recognize that your child’s perspective-his/her way of seeing the teacher, coach, and classmate is that of a child-ages 5-18! From kindergarten through high school, our children can be more focused on themselves and not have the ability to see a bigger picture or lesson God may be trying to teach them for their tomorrows. Basically, life is pretty much done in groups (marriage, family, job, church, traffic…). Use the high moments of applause to teach gratitude and quick release of praise to God for moments of honor. Use difficult, unfair, overlooked moments as times to teach how to love difficult people, forgive, and have faith in God’s heart.
I do want anyone reading this dissertation to parents to know, this is as much a call to me the teacher to act on as it is to you! Knowing I am accountable to God for the attitudes, words, and ways I deal with the families He gives me is extremely humbling. My “heart” need as a teacher is to be under the authority of God, be obedient to the principles of scripture in all my work, and partner with parents for whatever time God gives us together.
Let’s commit to pray for each other in the chairs God has each of us – parent, student, teacher, or coach.
Let’s commit to speak correctly about each other.
Let’s commit to lead our children through examples of obedience to God’s word by the way we live our lives.
Have a great school year wherever God has you!
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